Building Chemistry

Building Chemistry

This course aims for an in-depth knowledge of various analytical methods. The application of methods of advanced chemistry, chemico-physical, mineralogical and instrumental analytical methods are taught in theory and deepend with additional lab course work. Focus lies on microscopic relationships and their high influence on macroscopic properties. This course aims to broaden the knowledge for complex correlations and the relationships between molecular and macro scale.

Contents

This image shows the microstructure of hydrated cement paste after exposure to accelerated carbonation, viewed at a magnification of 150x using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . The brightness of the image, represented in grey scale, corresponds to the density of the elements in the sample, allowing for identification of local microstructural phase composition. The image reveals that CaCO3 (bright grey) preferentially fills the pores (black) on the surface outer layer and the top right corner of the sample surface.
This image shows the microstructure of hydrated cement paste after exposure to accelerated carbonation, viewed at a magnification of 150x using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . The brightness of the image, represented in grey scale, corresponds to the density of the elements in the sample, allowing for identification of local microstructural phase composition. The image reveals that CaCO3 (bright grey) preferentially fills the pores (black) on the surface outer layer and the top right corner of the sample surface.

Chemical processes are of fundamental importance in the manufacture and processing of building materials. For example, all hardening processes are controlled by chemical reactions. Building protection agents and coatings require complex, often organochemical compounds. Also during their service life, building materials are subjected to chemical stresses and attacks, be it by salt input, leaching or corrosion by different chemical agents.

Geopolymer mortar specimen production; mixing of two component (liquid and powder) geopolymer binder with aggregates; workability and strength tests (left photos). Polycondensation reaction mechanism of geopolymerisation (right schematic diagram).
Geopolymer mortar specimen production; mixing of two component (liquid and powder) geopolymer binder with aggregates; workability and strength tests (left photos). Polycondensation reaction mechanism of geopolymerisation (right schematic diagram).

The lecture and practical exercises aim to combine theory and practice. The chemical properties of the materials are demonstrated and corresponding reactions and changes due to externally attacking or acting influences are shown, analyzed and explained in great detail.

Means and methods to protect surfaces or to improve rheological properties are discussed.

The whole course conveys different material parameters from raw materials, secondary raw materials to highly synthesised materials. Coupled with the different laboratory environments at the WiB students will learn to choose different analytical methods to obtain valuable data and critically examine said data.

Mineralogical (X-ray powder diffraction) analysis of metakaolin raw material: broad amorphous peak indicates high pozzolanic reactivity potential.
Mineralogical (X-ray powder diffraction) analysis of metakaolin raw material: broad amorphous peak indicates high pozzolanic reactivity potential.

This course demonstrates the basics of chemistry through Building Chemistry applications. Students will gain a unique background in Instrumental Analytics, including XRD, TG, wet chemistry, microscopic, and spectroscopic characterizations of building materials. The course includes theoretical, laboratory, and practical training assignments with consultation feedback.

Key topics:

  • Minerals and Rocks as natural resources
  • Instrumental Analytics
  • Cement chemistry
  • Chemistry of supplementary cementitious materials
  • Materials Damaging mechanisms
  • Admixtures
  • Polymers
  • Surface coatings

This course emphasizes the production technology and materials science approach by linking material composition and microstructure differences to resulting properties. Students will also learn to model multi-component reaction systems using interactive software, enabling the use of effective chemical predictive tools for design of modern sustainable building materials.

Production of self-compacting geopolymer concrete at WiB

Objective

The objective of this course is to train MSc students with no or little chemistry background to tackle sustainability challenges in the construction industry and understand chemical perspectives. Upon completion, students will use chemical principles, instrumental characterization techniques, and computational methods in their own research and industry careers. Understanding the chemical reactions in raw materials selection, production, and use of building materials is crucial for engineers and builders to design and optimize material properties for workability, strength, durability, sustainability, and other characteristics.

Lecture

Professor Prof. Dr.ir. Eddie Koenders
Supervision by: Dr. Chem. Ing. Neven Ukrainczyk
M.Sc. Chem. Eng. Agustin Laveglia
M.Sc. Peng Xiao
Rotation Summer Semester
Requirements Bachelor course “Construction and Building Materials”
Credit Points 6 CP

Literature recommendations

Recommended primer literature:
Torraca G., Lectures on Materials Science for Architectural Conservation, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles (2009)
Scrivener K., Snellings R., Lothenbach B., A Practical Guide to Microstructural Analysis of Cementitious Materials, CRC Press 2016, ebook 2017: https://doi.org/10.1201/b19074
Further literature:
Hansen P.F., Jensen O.M.,The Science of Construction Materials, Springer 2009, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-70898-8
Aïtcin P.-C. and Flatt R.J., Science and Technology of Concrete Admixtures, Elsevier 2016: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2015-0-00150-2
Benedix R, Bauchemie: Einführung in die Chemie für Bauingenieure und Architekten, 7 Aufl. 2020, Springer
Pierre-Claude Aïtcin, Binders for Durable and Sustainable Concrete, Taylor&Francis Group 2008; eBook 2014: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781482265767
Bahurudeen A, P.V.P. Moorthi, Testing of Construction Materials, 2020 CRC Press, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003124825
Lea's Chemistry of Cement and Concrete, Fifth Edition (2017): https://doi.org/10.1016/C2013-0-19325-7
Gaffney J.F. and Marley N.A., General Chemistry for Engineers, Elsevier 2018: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2015-0-05956-1